Module DDL-4545:
Tropical Forestry Study Tour

Run by School of Natural Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Organiser: Dr James Walmsley

To visit and observe a range of tropical field sites of diverse forest structure, land use and management practices; ii) to meet in-country experts and local people to understand local cultures and their dependency on the forest resource; iii) to introduce the key social and political influences on the management of natural resources by different groups of people in particular environmental contexts; iv) participate in group discussions about the issues raised during visits; v) to develop a critical and analytical attitude to the natural and managed environment; vi) to develop skills in designing, executing and writing up a research project.

A two-week field course to an environmentally diverse area. This will alternate between various countries endowed with tropical forest resources, such as Uganda, Ghana and others, in collaboration with host country organisations and universities.
Students will visit a variety of sites which demonstrate a range of natural and managed vegetation, and a range of conservation and sustainability issues. Some of these will involve meeting and discussion with local experts. In the second week, students will work in small teams on a project evolved in discussion with the teaching staff.

excellent

Grades A- to A**: Sound knowledge of subject and ability to pull together various elements of the course material and other material succinctly and perceptively. Evidence of substantive background reading. Lively, frequent and pertinent contributions to group discussions. Ability to write perceptive and well-argued reports, peer review the work of others in a critical and constructive manner, and work very effectively as part of a team in the execution of a small research project.

good

Grades B- to B+: Sound knowledge of subject and ability to write descriptive accounts of the key topics covered in the Study Tour. A sound multidisciplinary approach to a range of issues. Ability to contribute constructively to debate, ability to write well-argued reports, peer review the work of others and work effectively as part of a team in the execution of a small research project. Structured, accurate and relevant description. Detailed quantification and sound level of critical evaluation expected.

threshold

Grades C- to C+: Basic knowledge of subject and ability to write descriptive accounts. Basic knowledge of the key topics covered in the Study Tour. A basic multidisciplinary approach to a range of issues. Ability to contribute constructively to debate, ability to write reports, peer review the work of others and work effectively as part of a team in the execution of a small research project. Structured, accurate and relevant description. Some quantification and basic level of critical evaluation expected.

1. Capacity to critically examine and discuss online a range of scientific and non-scientific literature relevant to the host country and the theme of the study tour.

2. Ability to draft a research concept note remotely and peer review the research ideas of others.

3. Ability to conduct primary research in a tropical forestry context, both individually and as part of a group effort.

4. Ability to collaborate with others in order to produce a research report formatted according to the requirements of a peer-review journal.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Multiple Choice / Multiple Answer Questionnaire		10
	Peer review of concept note		20
	Reflective diary entry		20
	Group Research Article		50

		Hours
	Prior to study tour, via Blackboard: Guided reading, with weekly discussion forum questions exploring the literature and generating discussion and interest in the Tropical Forestry Study Tour. Allocation of students into groups according to their area of interest, and guidance in the construction of a research concept note, with support from a 'group mentor' (a member of the teaching team). Introduction to the process of peer review. Self-study.	40
Fieldwork	In-country: Visits to a wide range of sites to understand the nature, management and use of the tropical forest resource.	50
Study group	Post study tour, via Blackboard, email and other methods of remote communication (googledocs, dropbox, etc): Self-study in the same groups to produce a research report formatted according to the requirements of a peer-review journal, with guidance provided by 'group mentor'.	60
Study group	Group-based primary research on the study tour with the guidance of a 'group mentor' (a member of the teaching team). Introduction to the process of preparing an article for publication in a peer-review publication.	50

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• Understand the provisional nature of information and appreciate competing and alternative explanations.
• Recognize the moral, ethical and social issues relating to the subject.
• Collect and record data generated by a diverse range of methods.
• Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation

Resource implications for students

Students will need to finance their return travel from their country of residence (cost dependent on where they travel from), as well as their in-country costs (typically £500 - £800), plus the costs of any vaccinations, visas etc. Funding from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission pays for the costs for the majority of students, who are in receipt of scholarships which cover these costs. Only self-funded students need to find funds.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ddl-4545.html

Reading list

do be developed (the reading list for the discontinued module, DXX-4519 will be almost identical to the reading list for this module)

Compulsory in courses:

• D5AH: PGDip Tropical Forestry year 1 (DIP/TF)
• D5AC: MSc Tropical Forestry (Distance Learning) year 1 (MSC/TF)

Optional in courses:

• D5AG: PGCert Tropical Forestry year 1 (CERT/TF)
• D512: MFor Forestry year 4 (MFOR/FOR)
• D514: MFor Forestry with International Experience year 5 (MFOR/FORIE)
• D513: MFor Forestry (with placement year) year 5 (MFOR/FORP)